“Victory goes to Qingyu’s Yun Duan!”
The final match on the stage ended without dispute. Yun Duan sheathed her sword and bowed slightly to her opponent before turning to look at the crowd below.
The audience, a sea of cultivators, erupted into applause, many of them eagerly discussing the recent battle. The mix of cheers and chatter left Shang Can with a headache, but she found the noise tolerable this time.
This is the kind of noise I can allow, she thought, clapping along as loudly as she could.
“That was a clean win,” she said with a hint of pride. “The opponent didn’t stand a chance against Duan’er.”
Chu Ming, who was also clapping nearby, gave her a sideways glance and clicked his tongue. “You’re talking big now, huh? When Yun Duan’s opponent made that final move, I saw your hand on the hilt of Wuyou.”
“…It was just a reflex. I didn’t actually draw it.”
“Thank the heavens you didn’t. Otherwise, you would’ve rushed onto the stage, and Shishu Wangyue would’ve had you hanging from the top of Yuheng Peak.”
Ignoring Chu Ming’s teasing, Shang Can watched as Yun Duan claimed this year’s top spot in the Tianwaitian tournament. Feeling elated, she met Yun Duan’s gaze from the stage and mouthed silently: Duan’er, you’re amazing.
Yun Duan clearly understood the lip movement, a faint smile appearing on her face—brief, but enough to make the young male cultivators in the crowd stare in awe.
“No wonder people have been saying lately, ‘A beauty as distant as clouds above,'” a woman’s voice suddenly said, breaking Shang Can’s thoughts. The tone was calm and soft, yet something about it didn’t sit right with her. Shang Can’s expression immediately darkened.
“…I didn’t expect someone as busy as the acting sect leader of Tianwaitian to have heard my shimei’s name. Well, on her behalf, I thank you for the compliment,” Shang Can responded lazily, turning to face the tall woman now standing beside her. The woman wore an intricate robe, her features gentle, and she carried an air of elegance and authority.
“You’re too kind,” the woman smiled warmly. “Your shimei is indeed a rare talent, both in looks and ability. She’s truly a treasure of Qingyu Sect. Please pass on my congratulations to Wangyue Zhenren for having such an outstanding disciple.”
The words, despite their surface politeness, felt laced with thorns. Shang Can sighed, rolling her eyes. “Qin Yi, could you maybe say what you mean? Doesn’t this way of talking bother you?”
“Have I said anything to make you misunderstand, Shang Can?” Qin Yi’s eyes, soft yet unsettling, landed on Shang Can as she continued, “I only came to offer my congratulations to Qingyu Sect for taking first place again—truly deserving of being called the top sect in the cultivation world.”
Noticing Shang Can’s worsening expression, Chu Ming quickly interjected, “We appreciate your kind words, Acting Sect Leader, but really, Qingyu is unworthy of such praise—”
“No need to be humble.”
Qin Yi’s smile deepened as her gaze briefly flickered to the sword hanging at Shang Can’s waist, Wuyou. “To win two spirit swords from Tianwaitian back-to-back, that’s proof enough of your sect’s exceptional disciples.”
“But…” her tone shifted slightly, a hint of concern creeping in, “I’ve heard that Shang Can herself still hasn’t passed the Wenxin test this year, which is… puzzling.”
“Is this still about losing to me in that sparring match a few years ago?” Shang Can sneered, unable to hold back. “If you lose, you lose. Can’t you just accept it? You’ve been sulking for years now. What, you couldn’t find a flaw in Duan’er, so you’re having a hard time today?”
Her sharp words made Qin Yi’s eyes briefly flash with coldness before she resumed her gentle smile. “You’re joking. I only meant to congratulate your shimei for her accomplishments in cultivation and… beauty. Surely, she will make great strides in the cultivation world.”
Talking to her is a waste of time.
Shang Can noticed the subtle emphasis Qin Yi placed on Yun Duan’s appearance, along with how she seemed to eye the young male cultivators nearby. The headache that had been nagging her since last night worsened.
“Yeah, life’s not exactly fair,” she said lazily, no longer bothering to look at Qin Yi. “But at your age, all you can do is compare yourself to someone as young as Yun Duan. Because let’s face it, you can’t match her in anything.”
A crack appeared in Qin Yi’s smiling facade. Out of respect for her position as Tianwaitian’s acting sect leader, she didn’t respond directly, instead offering a few meaningless phrases like “You’re quite the jokester” before walking away.
“I have other matters to attend to,” Qin Yi finally said, glancing once more at Shang Can before turning to leave.
“…Psh, like anyone asked her to stay,” Shang Can muttered, distaste clear on her face. Beside her, Chu Ming chuckled awkwardly.
“You probably just made her an even bigger enemy,” he said.
“She’s the one who came over to provoke me,” Shang Can grumbled, rubbing her throbbing temples. “Everyone praises her for being so dignified and graceful, but I think she’s a snake in disguise. She doesn’t even bother pretending around me anymore—what did I ever do to her?”
Chu Ming glanced around to make sure no one was listening before leaning in. “Remember I told you that some people had a problem with you winning first place without passing the Wenxin test? Well, Qin Yi is probably the one leading that group.”
“Tch, she’s the one who challenged me, not the other way around,” Shang Can sighed. “I can’t believe Tianwaitian chose someone like her to lead…”
“…You’re not wrong, but could you please not say that while we’re still on Tianwaitian’s grounds?”
Shang Can let out a huff, signaling her agreement. She tried to shake off the whole matter, but her headache only worsened. The sun beat down harshly on the uncovered area around the stage, sweat beading on her forehead.
…Maybe it’s because I saw someone I dislike, she thought. My head hurts, and I feel feverish.
She suddenly recalled the way Qin Yi had looked at her before leaving—the cold, penetrating stare behind her polite mask.
A shiver ran down Shang Can’s spine. She blinked up at the glaring sun.
“…What day is it today?” she murmured, her voice faint.
Chu Ming looked at her, puzzled. “It’s the sixteenth of July… why?”
“…”
Shang Can closed her eyes without replying.
As Chu Ming’s concerned voice called to her, Yun Duan stepped off the stage and approached. She looked at Shang Can with quiet concern.
“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Yun Duan asked.
“I’m fine.” Shang Can lowered her head, staring at Yun Duan for a long moment before breaking into a soft smile. “Duan’er, you did wonderfully.”
“You’re a sword master now too. How does it feel?”
Yun Duan lowered her gaze to the sword at her waist, the delicate script of “Feiwang” etched into the hilt. It was clear the sword was crafted by the same hand as Shang Can’s Wuyou.
“It’s fine,” Yun Duan replied quietly. “They say it’s not as sharp as Wuyou, but…”
“Want to trade?”
Ignoring Chu Ming’s shocked murmurs about how swords shouldn’t just be swapped like that, Shang Can swiftly unbuckled Wuyou from her waist, fully prepared to hand it over to Yun Duan. She looked at her with complete sincerity, as though ready to switch at a moment’s notice.
Yun Duan hesitated, then shook her head after a moment of silence.
“Feiwang…” Yun Duan’s voice was soft, her gaze distant, as though she had much more to say. “…suits me better.”
So Feiwang it is, Shang Can thought.
It’s not a bad sword, but its name doesn’t sound as pleasant as Wuyou. Carefree is a much better name—Duan’er carries too many burdens. She should live every day without a care in the world.
But she didn’t want to trade swords today, so—
Shang Can’s eyes snapped open.
She found herself lying on a table, her head pounding. Slowly, she lifted her head and realized she was back in her room at Tianwaitian.
Her headache was terrible. Shang Can furrowed her brow. She couldn’t remember when or how she had returned to her room. The last thing she recalled was speaking to Yun Duan after the tournament.
“Shijie, you’re awake?”
A cool voice startled her. Shang Can bit her tongue to steady herself before turning her head.
Yun Duan was sitting next to her, quietly watching her with eyes as deep as dark jade.
Their gazes met, and neither spoke for a while.
Finally, Yun Duan broke the silence. She lowered her eyes and gently pushed a bowl of medicine toward Shang Can. “Since you’re awake, drink this. It’s the last dose.”
“…”
Was that bowl on the table earlier?
Shang Can lowered her head and looked, feeling as if her brain had been filled with the murky medicinal soup, making it difficult to think clearly.
“…What is this medicine?” she asked softly, her voice steady.
“It’s a tonic to help your body recover,” Yun Duan replied.
Receiving the expected answer, Shang Can listened carefully to Yun Duan’s words, her gaze slightly dimming.
“Yun Duan,” Shang Can called softly, meeting Yun Duan’s eyes. She saw Yun Duan widen her eyes in surprise at being called by her full name, her lips slightly pursed, and her expression turned serious as if preparing for battle. Shang Can’s heart suddenly felt a pang, tight and heavy.
“…You came in first today; you should be rewarded for that.” Shang Can smiled suddenly and said gently, “What do you want? Just tell me, anything you want.”
“…”
Yun Duan seemed taken aback by the question, blinking in confusion as she instinctively repeated, “Anything… I can have?”
“Yes.” Shang Can nodded cheerfully. “As long as it’s something I can do, anything is fine.”
“…”
Yun Duan fell silent once more, her head bowed as if deep in thought. Her slightly long bangs covered her eyes, making it impossible for Shang Can to see her expression at that moment, so she waited patiently.
Time seemed to stretch on; perhaps it was an hour or just a few minutes, but finally, Shang Can heard Yun Duan speak.
“I…”
Her usually cool voice trembled slightly, and as Yun Duan looked up, her exquisite face displayed a mix of hesitation and unease, which soon transformed into a brave determination.
With a hope that seemed as fragile as a castle built of glass, Yun Duan slowly moved closer to Shang Can.
Shang Can did not back away; she quietly raised her gaze, scanning the strands of hair falling from Yun Duan’s ears, her delicate eyebrows, and her slightly pursed pale pink lips.
The faint, cool fragrance wafted through her nose, consistent with Shang Can’s memories. The person before her leaned in closer, enough for Shang Can to clearly see Yun Duan’s trembling eyelashes and a few strands of hair falling onto her porcelain-like delicate neck, which only stirred a longing in her heart.
As Shang Can’s gaze followed the falling hair, she heard Yun Duan’s voice trembling.
“I like you, Senior Sister.”
“I want… for you to like me back too.”
At that moment, a cool palm pressed against Shang Can’s cheek. Following Yun Duan’s strength, Shang Can raised her head, seeing that familiar face moving closer, hesitant, careful, and tentative.
Shang Can lowered her eyes.
The next instant, there was a loud crash as tables and chairs were overturned, and the medicine bowl on the table smashed to the ground, spilling the murky medicine everywhere.
Shang Can pinned Yun Duan against the wall, her expression emotionless as she covered Yun Duan’s mouth with one hand.
“What do you want to feed me?” she asked softly. The person pressed against the wall could not speak, only showing a look of shock in her beautiful eyes, which soon darkened with disappointment as she slowly shook her head.
“…What on earth…”
An uncontrollable agitation surged within Shang Can. She clenched her teeth tightly, but ultimately, her hand did not apply more pressure.
“Did you come from my memories?” Shang Can let out a self-deprecating laugh, “You really resemble her.”
“But that was not right just now.”
Her voice was heavy, as if she were speaking to herself.
“…She has never said such things. When I asked her what she wanted, she didn’t respond like this.”
Although the crashing of the tables and chairs had made a huge noise, there was no sound outside the room, as if the entire world consisted only of this one room, with just the two of them.
“A hallucination that grants wishes, a world that always goes smoothly,” Shang Can said softly, “Is this the method the Ghost Clan uses to confuse people?”
She gradually recalled the icy waters of the Forgetting River, the dark red world of the Underworld, and the serious admonitions from Wan Shao: It’s very dangerous for you there.
“…Yes. Very dangerous.”
Shang Can smiled softly, but her smile contained a hint of bitterness.
“Using Yun Duan’s face to do such things…”
She didn’t continue, but took a deep look at the familiar brows and eyes before her, then slowly leaned down, pressing her lips gently against the back of her own hand.
In an instant, the entire world shattered into dust.
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